Common Chemical Apparatus (SQA National 5 Chemistry): Revision Note

Chemical apparatus

• In chemistry, using the right tool for the job is essential for getting accurate and reliable results

• For this course, you should be familiar with the names and main uses of the following common pieces of laboratory apparatus

General apparatus

Beaker

• This is a glass (or plastic) container used for holding, mixing and heating liquids

• The scale on the side is for approximate volumes only

Conical flask

• This flask has a narrow neck to prevent splashing and a wide base

• This makes it ideal for swirling liquids to ensure they mix well during a reaction like a titration

Test tube / boiling tube

• Test tubes and boiling tubes are used for observing chemical changes or reactions on a small scale

• Boiling tubes are wider and made of tougher glass to allow for stronger heating

Evaporating basin

• This is a shallow, ceramic dish used for evaporating a solvent from a solution, often to leave behind solid crystals.

Apparatus for measuring

Thermometer

• A thermometer is used to measure temperature in degrees Celsius (°C)

Digital balance

• A digital balance is used to measure mass accurately

  • The standard unit of mass in kilograms (kg)

    • However, in chemistry grams (g) are most often used

Measuring cylinder

• A measuring cylinder is used for approximately measuring a range of volumes

• Measurements are read from the bottom of the meniscus

Pipette (with safety filler)

• Pipettes are used to accurately measure and transfer a single, fixed volume of liquid (e.g., exactly 10.0 cm³ or 25.0 cm³)

• The safety filler is used to draw liquid into the pipette

  • There are various versions of safety fillers

Burette

• A burette is a long, graduated tube with a tap at the bottom

• It is used to add a variable but highly accurate volumes of liquid

• It is essential for titrations, allowing you to measure the volume added precisely

• Important:

  • The scale on a burette is read from top to bottom

  • So, 0.00 cm³ is at the top of the burette

Other essential apparatus

Funnel & filter paper

• A funnel and filter paper is used to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid

  • e.g., sand from water

• This process is called filtration

Delivery tube

• This is a bent tube used to transfer a gas from a reaction vessel into a collection apparatus

  • This is most commonly used when collecting gases

  • The shape of the delivery tube depends on its specific job

Dropper (or teat pipette)

• Dropper or teat pipettes are used for adding a liquid one drop at a time

  • They are useful when only a very small amount is needed